McCulloch Chain Saws

[RandyMac]

My Grandad was a Homelite guy, for my first 5 years of using chainsaws, all I saw was blue and red. I went to help a neighboring rancher with firewood, he had a top tank McCulloch, most likely 1-70 series, that is all it took. When I had slaved long enough to buy my own chainsaw, Grandad took me to the feedstore in Ferndale, where I was supposed to buy a nice C9. I walked out of there with a hard running 250 with a roller tip, the first of many yellow saws.

 

[Duke Thieroff]

My Grandad was a Homelite guy, for my first 5 years of using chainsaws, all I saw was blue and red. I went to help a neighboring rancher with firewood, he had a top tank McCulloch, most likely 1-70 series, that is all it took. When I had slaved long enough to buy my own chainsaw, Grandad took me to the feedstore in Ferndale, where I was supposed to buy a nice C9. I walked out of there with a hard running 250 with a roller tip, the first of many yellow saws.

I really like the 1-70 series saws that I have (3 of em, 1-76, 1-70 and 1-72, the 70 and 76 are runners, the 72 lying in wait.)

I can imagine why they would have turned you on. I've liked all of the Homelites I've owned, I've had a couple of the bigger models and a couple of chances at bigger ones, but was never crazy for them.

Something about a McCulloch just does it for me. They just seem to be harder running saws.

Any chance you recollect what that 250 set you back?

Favorite model Macs of all time, other than the 850 and the S250?


Chris

 

[RandyMac]

Yep, I remember, $150, the C9 was a bit more, both were nearly new, this was 1972.
Tough to pick just one all time favorite. I cut some really nice timber with the Super and the 850, I killed superb OG with 797s, the saw I had the most adventures with was the 660.

 

[Duke Thieroff]

Yep, I remember, $150, the C9 was a bit more, both were nearly new, this was 1972.
Tough to pick just one all time favorite. I cut some really nice timber with the Super and the 850, I killed superb OG with 797s, the saw I had the most adventures with was the 660.

I'd really like to have a 797 or a 660, I like the front tank Macs, but something about the top tankers does it for me.

Do you think it was the timber you cut with the saws as much as the saws themselves?

Are the large frame saws as productive in a real world environment as the smaller framed, more modern 850?

I understand why a gear drive would be, when cutting large timber, but let's compare direct drive to direct drive.


Chris

 

[cpr]

Hey, gang. Enjoying the read on wifey's phone. Sitting around an oak fueled fire and getting wi####l for a super250 to make it.


Why does wi####l get blocked or did I typo?

Whatever, beer!

 

[cpr]

Apparently, on an android phone anyway, double you, eye, ess, tee, eff, you, ell is a cuss word... WTF???

 

[RandyMac]

##### #### ####ing

I'd really like to have a 797 or a 660, I like the front tank Macs, but something about the top tankers does it for me.
The top tanks were the high work production models, not that the front tanks were intended for low use, the top tanks lent themselves better for heavy use. Easier to work on, boiling gas wasn't as much of an issue, not as easy to damage.

Do you think it was the timber you cut with the saws as much as the saws themselves?
In a way yes, however McCullochs added an inherent challenge, some dared you to master them. There were very few other saws that I itched to run, some two toned saws I couldn't wait to ditch.

Are the large frame saws as productive in a real world environment as the smaller framed, more modern 850?
Real world? Like today's world of ever diminishing expectations? Eh. I will stick to what I know. The PM850 did well in the 30"-48" range conifers, Pines and such, but lost ground to to Super in tougher wood, the difference in powerband and rev range was more of a factor than the 5cc displacement. In order to get the most out of the 850, you have to be good at several things like tailoring the chain to the saw and the wood. I could run full comp square bit chain, 8 pin on a 36" bar without having to baby the saw in the cut. Its all in the filing. Having a good ear for tuning helped.

I understand why a gear drive would be, when cutting large timber, but let's compare direct drive to direct drive.

Which models, makes?
Chris

 

[HeRoze]

Hey, gang. Enjoying the read on wifey's phone. Sitting around an oak fueled fire and getting wi####l for a super250 to make it.


Why does wi####l get blocked or did I typo?

Whatever, beer!

shut the f- up? sierra tango foxtrot uniform?

 

[Eccentric]

I'd really like to have a 797 or a 660, I like the front tank Macs, but something about the top tankers does it for me.

Do you think it was the timber you cut with the saws as much as the saws themselves?

Are the large frame saws as productive in a real world environment as the smaller framed, more modern 850?

I understand why a gear drive would be, when cutting large timber, but let's compare direct drive to direct drive.
Chris

The 660 is a front tank gear drive. Basically the same as the 650 you traded for that S-550.

shut the f- up? sierra tango foxtrot uniform?

I think you nailed it. I never would have thought of that. Strange that Charles' phone censored it. My Droid-X doesn't censor any cusswords out. There's a non-saw forum that I've posted swear words on from my phone. Maybe there's a setting in the phone he can change (like disabling the damn auto-complete).

 

[heimannm]

I thought you might like to see the SP105 putting one down...

Mark

 

[Warped5]

I thought you might like to see the SP105 putting one down...


Mark

This is 2011 ..... more pix required, or video if possible ..... that one looks like it could have been an entertaining fall.

 

[promac850]

I thought you might like to see the SP105 putting one down...

Mark

I have a question... are the SP105 and 790 in any way similar?

I'm thinking not, as I can clearly remember seeing the tanks are different... but are there any interchangeable parts between the big SP's and the 790/5/7 saws?

 

[RandyMac]

Think SP125, the 105 is just a bit smaller in displacement.

 

[heimannm]

Warped - More photo's in a thread titled "Another one down".

PM 610 - The basic engine/block with oil tank will swap back and forth but that's about it. The handles and fuel tanks mount in a completely different manner.

The SP models are really nice saws, hopefully when I get back from the next round of travel I can get to work on some saws again and get this one into the service fleet.

Mark

 

[heimannm]

McCulloch Mufflers

I said a while back I would post a few photo's of different McCulloch mufflers. Let's get started.

First up, SP105/125. I don't know why but these mufflers and the mounts were completely different from everything else I encountered.

Here is the stock muffler on the saw. This one happens to be an SP105. Notice the very special screws that hold the muffer to the saw, large diameter and "hollow" with internal threads to hold the muffler cover in place.

The muffler and all three mounting screws lay in the same plane, and the gasket is a larger piece than you find on most.

Under the gasket you can see the configuration of the block to support the muffler and the gasket.

Here you can see that the older style mufflers would fit, but you'd lose the third attachment point unless you made a spacer. Of course then you would have to come up with some peculiar sort of gasket.

Finally, the SP style muffler disected

Mark

 

[heimannm]

A number of the 1-70/80, 700/800 saws had a rectangular muffler to begin with. Here are a few views of some different rectangular mufflers including the "Town & Country" adjustable baffle muffler. For those that haven't had the experience, the two settings are loud and louder.

And here is a bad photo of the rectangular muffler off a 795.

Finally, here are a couple of shots of the "modded" muffler on the Super 797 and the block underneath. This one is also different with a sort of recess for the gasket.

Mark

 

[Warped5]

Nice posts, Mark!
As always, thanks! :msp_thumbsup:

 

[rwoods]

I said a while back I would post a few photo's of different McCulloch mufflers. Let's get started.

First up, SP105/125. I don't know why but these mufflers and the mounts were completely different from everything else I encountered.



Under the gasket you can see the configuration of the block to support the muffler and the gasket.

Mark

Mark, I can't answer any questions but as you probably know the ports are "ovalish" on the 105/125 whereas I believe the other large frame saws have straight sides on the port. The 101B kart also has straight sides. The inlet of regular large frame and cart mufflers all appears to be smaller than the 105/125 port. This is why I have been looking for 105/125 mufflers and was so elated when I found two. I never thought to take off and take a good look at the only 125 muffler I have. Well, I did tonight and it has straight sides with an opening the same width as my round mufflers but slightly longer in lenght. Go figure as to why the inlet doesn't match the port. I'm still glad I bought the mufflers as one of my can mufflers is cracked at the base (otherwise looks almost brand new) maybe this is the purpose for the three point mount. Ron

 

[heimannm]

Here is a better shot of a 700/800 type rectangular muffler.

And a few views of some different blocks showing the muffler mounts. Not sure on this first one, may be a 200 with the closed center port. Notice the third hole tapped and ready for the extra support.

I think this one is a 1-40, no third hole support and a removeable head.

Mac15 block, closed center port again and the tapped third hole for support.

I think this is a 795 block since it has the DSP port.

Mark

 

[heimannm]

Sorry this is a little bit disjointed, trying to juggle a few too many things at one time.

The first photo here shows two different gaskets used on McCulloch mufflers, on the left is the standard used for most of the older saws from the D-30/36/44 Series up through the 700/800 saws with the flat base. On the right is the gasket to fit the recessed pocket like shown in the Super 797 photo earlier.

And here is a bunch of mufflers and parts I got from a member here some while back.

And here are a few different style mufflers laid out for your enjoyment.

Now a few different types of mufflers all mounted to the Super 797. The first one up came off a 33/35 model saw. The style is very much like the mufflers used on the older saws (3-25/4-30/47/etc.) but different due to the angle of the louvers and the location of the mounting screws.

3-25/47 style muffler.

Mark